Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka will battle it out for the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix title on Sunday in Stuttgart. Earlier on Saturday, both advanced to the final after contrasting wins in their respective semi-final outing.
In the first semi-final, the third-seeded Sabalenka outlasted the second-seeded Paula Badosa, 7-6(5), 6-4 in an hour and 40 minutes. This is the second straight year that Sabalenka’s reached the final in the German tournament. In the 2021 edition, Sabalenka had lost to Ashleigh Barty.
Porsche Tennis Grand Prix: Iga Swiatek’s dominance’s thriving
After her win, Sabalenka said, “In the beginning, I couldn’t find my rhythm, and then there was like nothing to lose. She was up with a break. I kind of told myself in that game, ‘You have to work through it, you have to run and get everything you can, and just put her under pressure in that game.’ I did it well and I broke her back. That gave me a little bit more power and motivation to keep fighting for this set. And then with every point I played, I was feeling better and better, and I found my rhythm. But it was a tough match. There were a lot of break points for her, for me. It was ups and downs, and I am super happy that I was able to win this one.”
Meanwhile, Sabalenka’s opponent in the final, Swiatek, came from a set down to win against Liudmila Samsonova in their semi-final. Swiatek won 6-7(4), 6-4, 7-5 in three hours and three minutes. The win, while ensuring that the world no. 1 was able to extend her undefeated status to 22 matches, however, halted her run of sets won at 28.
Into the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix final, Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka will carry a split win-to-loss record, with this being their third match. Sabalenka won their first match at the 2021 WTA Finals while Swiatek defeated her in the quarter-final in Doha en route to winning the title.Â
Photo Credit: Porsche Tennis Grand Prix Twitter